The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) is accepting entries for its annual Golden Quill editorial writing contest. The deadline for entries is Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
Entries should reflect the purpose of the ISWNE: Encouraging the writing of editorials or staff-written opinion pieces that identify local issues that are or should be of concern to the community, offer an opinion, and support a course of action.
All newspapers of less than daily frequency (published fewer than four days per week) are eligible to enter. Online-only newspapers must be considered community news sites. Syndicated columnists are not eligible.
Entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024.
Cost is $15 per entry (each editorial or column) for ISWNE members, $20 per entry for non-members, and $5 per entry for students. There is a separate division for student entries.
Select up to six best editorials or signed opinion pieces from your newspaper, but three is the maximum number of entries permitted from each individual.
Go to newspapercontest.com/iswne to get started. Under Register, you will need to create a password. Your Seccode or Association code will be ISWNE. Email Chad Stebbins at cstebbins@mopress.com if you are unsure of your Member Status.
After you successfully log in, click on the “Add New Entry” link. For each entry, include either a URL or use the drop box to upload. Under Explanation, include instructions on how to access your paywall if the entry (the URL) is behind one. You may also add a note of explanation to the judge to clarify something about the entry, but this is not required.
Grassroots Editor, ISWNE’s biannual journal, will reprint the 12 best editorials in the Summer 2025 issue. The Golden Quill winner will be invited to attend ISWNE’s annual conference in Brookings, South Dakota, July 9-13. The winner will receive a conference scholarship and travel expenses up to $500.
Information on how to prepare and send entries can be found at www.iswne.org. For specific questions, contact ISWNE Executive Director Chad Stebbins at cstebbins@mopress.com.
